Mumbai, 05 February 2026: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank and STUDDS Accessories Ltd., the world’s largest two-wheeler helmet manufacturer by volume in Calendar Year 2024 (Source: CARE Report) have joined hands along with, the local traffic police to launch The Helmet Receipt campaign. The on ground initiative, aligned with the road safety awareness efforts, was designed to prompt riders to pause and consider the real cost of riding without a helmet. The campaign is being executed across 4 states and 12 cities, with 2812 Helmet Receipts having been distributed till date.
The campaign ran throughout January, to mark the National Safety Month across high density urban centres in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu. The cities that are participating in the campaign are Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Surat, Navi Mumbai, Trichy, Rajkot, Madurai, Mysuru, Mangalore & Hubli.
Over the month long initiative, participating traffic junctions, gave an opportunity to riders to pause and reflect on their irresponsible traffic behaviour of not wearing helmets. The initiative introduces a receipt style slip being handed out at busy traffic signals. Riders wearing helmets receive a “Paid in Advance” appreciation receipt, acknowledging their responsible choice. Riders without helmets are briefly stopped for one signal cycle and handed a Helmet Receipt, a symbolic bill that highlights the long term consequences of a single unsafe decision.
The initiative is driven by a clear behavioral insight. While most riders understand that helmets save lives, many still prioritise convenience over consequence. Traditional penalties are often forgotten, and verbal warnings rarely lead to lasting behaviour change. The Helmet Receipt replaces enforcement with reflection, turning a routine traffic stop into a moment of awareness.
Mr. Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories Ltd, said, “Helmet usage isn’t about compliance, it’s about protecting lives. With the Helmet Receipt campaign, in partnership with HDFC Bank, we aim to move beyond preaching or penalizing and instead create a moment of reflection right where decisions are made. Just a few seconds at a traffic signal can prompt riders to rethink their choices and understand the long-term impact of a single ride. To put it in perspective, as per MoRT&H** in 2023, 54,568 two wheeler riders who lost their lives were not wearing helmets and over 40 percent of road accident victims in India did not use helmets, showing how a simple safety choice can save lives. That brief pause can influence behavior, foster responsibility, and shift mindsets. Our goal is to make safety personal, relatable, and immediate, protecting not just riders, but the families and futures that depend on them.”
Mr. Ravi Santhanam, Chief Marketing Officer and Group Head (Brand, Retail Marketing & Customer Analytics), HDFC Bank, said, “Road accidents have consequences that reach far beyond the immediate impact, affecting lives, families, and financial stability. Through this initiative, we encourage people to focus not only on safety on the road but also on being financially prepared for unforeseen events. By making small, conscious behavioural changes today, such as wearing helmets consistently or driving responsibly, individuals can greatly reduce the risk of accidents and the financial and emotional stress that follows. The goal is to protect lives while securing the futures that depend on them.”
The receipt also creates a subtle link between road safety and financial preparedness. STUDDS reinforces helmets as the first line of defense before an accident, while HDFC Bank’s messaging focusses on what follows, medical expenses, income disruption, and the importance of being financially prepared. The campaign avoids product promotion, pricing, or calls to action, keeping the focus firmly on behavior change.
Executed with the support of traffic police, the activation runs at high-density junctions with minimal setup. Each interaction lasts just five to seven seconds, ensuring smooth traffic flow while delivering a message that stays with riders beyond the signal. Designed for easy scalability, The Helmet Receipt campaign uses a single receipt format with regional language adaptations, making it deployable across cities nationwide.
With The Helmet Receipt campaign, HDFC Bank strengthens its position as a life preparedness partner while STUDDS reinforces its role as a safety-first brand while. Together, they remind riders that while some costs are paid on the road, others can last a lifetime.
